From the Editor-in-Chief: Birth Defects Research 2023

With the start of a new year, there are new faces in new places at Birth Defects Research (BDR), the Journal of the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention (BDRP). After many years as an Associate and Deputy Editor of BDR, I have assumed the mantle of Editor-in-Chief. I look forward to working with everyone in BDRP to make our journal the foremost place for publishing and reading about research on birth defects, including clinical, epidemiological, and genetic studies in humans, as well as mechanistic and safety assessment studies in animals, in vitro, and in silico. In this age of big data, artificial intelligence, rapidly expanding laboratory and clinical technologies, and increasing focus on health disparities and inequities, there is a growing need for a transdisciplinary journal like BDR. The other editors and I will be working with Dr. Russ Kirby and the BDRP Publications Committee to increase the scientific and social impact of the journal, as well as its usefulness to BDRP members in their professional lives. We will be querying members and other authors and reviewers to help us in the continuing evolution and growth of BDR, so expect to hear from us soon! Diego F. Wyszynski, M.D., M.H.S, Ph.D., has joined BDR as a new Deputy Editor. Dr. Wyszynski brings broad expertise and international experience and presence to BDR. He earned his Ph.D. in Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, an M.D. from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and postdoctoral training at NIH. He has worked in academia, government, pharmaceutical companies, and consulting. He is the founder and CEO of Pregistry, a global registry of pregnant people and a leader in the development and conduct of observational studies during pregnancy. Pregistry's mission is “healthy pregnancies, healthy babies,” a mission obviously shared with BDRP. Diego is located in London, and his international stature will help BDR reach new audiences and new contributors. Suzanne Gilboa, MHS, Ph.D., is joining BDR as an Associate Editor. Dr. Gilboa earned her M.H.S. degree from Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Gilboa served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Nicaragua as a Health Educator and Community Development Specialist. She is an Epidemiologist and Senior Research Scientist in the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, working in maternal and child health surveillance. Suzanne will add expertise in epidemiology and surveillance to BDR. She has been a member of BDRP and the Teratology Society since 2010 and The National Birth Defects Prevention Network since 2014. Many thanks and much appreciation to Dr. Michel Vekemans, who served with distinction as Editor of BDR, Part A and then as Editor-in-Chief of the unified BDR. The journal has made great strides under Michel's leadership, and he leaves big shoes to fill. Thanks to Dr. Philip Lupo, who is rotating off as Associate Editor to take his position as Vice President-Elect of BDRP. Thanks to Kristin Artinger and Tina Chambers, our other Deputy Editors, and Associate Editors Drs. Christopher Bowman, Simon Conway, Sarah Obican, Sonja Rasmussen, and Gary Shaw. Thanks to Mark Paalman, our longtime representative from Wiley, Kristofer Barr of Wiley, who is working with us now, and the staff of our editorial offices. And, as always, thanks to the great support BDR receives from our BDRP management staff. Finally, thanks to all of you, the readers, authors, and reviewers of Birth Defects Research. Let us work together to make it even better. John M. Rogers, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief.